Voices Magazine Vol3-Issue 1

29 April - June 2019 | VOICES Bi-Monthly Magazine of the University of Technology, Jamaica in his view, could collaborate with the University; and he presided over our Graduation ceremonies with his traditional elan. Beyond the confines of the University environment which Mr Seaga occupied most recently, he has been unsurpassed as a national leader. He was the longest serving Member of Parliament, from 1962 to 2005; pioneered numerous projects at the heart of Jamaica’s infrastructural development; created the Jamaica Festival, conceptualized the HEART Trust and Things Jamaica; and was one of the architects of the Constitution of independent Jamaica. At the level of language, Mr Seaga introduced most of us to the concept of “stagflation”, advertised his own “vim, vigour and vitality”, and encouraged political allies in discord to “light a candle, sing a sankey and find you way back home.” Mr Seaga’s versatility has also seen him as a central figure in the operations of the Premier League Clubs Association, a connection with football, through Tivoli Gardens FC, which represents an additional link to his earlier days as a sportsman at Wolmer’s Boys School. On the world stage, Mr Seaga made his mark from the time of his early Ministerial positions. He was instrumental in bringing National Hero, Marcus Garvey, back to his homeland in 1964, and, at a later, more contentious time, reaffirmed Jamaica’s alliance with the United States through his personal links with late President, Ronald Reagan. In this regard, Mr Seaga used the opportunity of his retirement from active politics to present his perspectives in books on various international and national developments, including the Grenada intervention and Jamaica’s relationship with Cuba. As Jamaica mourns the passing of Mr Seaga, so does the University of Technology, Jamaica. We offer condolences to all members of the Seaga family, his large universe of friends and colleagues, and the many who have been touched by his practicality, sound judgment, and commitment to Jamaica. The Most Honourable Edward Seaga has given us a life of hard work, diligence and accomplishment. His successes were not attained by sudden flight, but by constant effort and determination. In this he is a model for us all at the University of Technology, Jamaica, and the wider Jamaica. Again, Longfellow from “The Ladder of St. Augustine”: “We have not wings, we cannot soar But we have feet to scale and climb By slow degrees, by more and more The cloudy summits of our time.” Mr. Seaga scaled the cloudy summits of our time. May his soul rest in peace. The University of Technology, Jamaica mounted an exhibition on the life and times of the late Most Honourable Edward Seaga, ON, PC, former Prime Minister and Chancellor of the University during from to July 5 2019. The exhibition which was mounted at the Drawing Room at the University’s Papine Campus featured works from Mr. Seaga’s extensive writings and publications and his distinguished legacy as a master anthropologist, politician and academician. It also showcased moments from his time as Chancellor of the University. Mr Seaga and Miss UTech, 2018, Alecia Bailey cut the 60th Anniversary Cake at the launch of the UTech, Jamaica 60th anniversary celebrations on March 20, 2018 at the Papine Campus. Prof. Stephen Vasciannie, President participates in the happy occasion. Exhibition on the Life and Times of Edward Seaga Cont’d from page 28... Sincere Condolences Cont’d on page 30